Houston Astros pitcher Zack Greinke speaks to the media during a press conference before a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, in Houston. Greinke was acquired via a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 31.

That move, when combined with the Yankees’ inability to pick up a fresh arm for the starting rotation before the deadline and New York’s ongoing injury woes, makes Houston the front-runner for the American League pennant.

Beltran also told TMZ that Houston appears to be the team beat with Greinke joining Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in the starting rotation.

“They have three starting guys over there that are No. 1 on any team in baseball.”

But Beltran isn’t ditching the pinstripes. When asked by TMZ who he thinks will win the World Series, Beltran said, “I hope the Yankees ... We have a good team. We’re in first place. So with what we got, I think we can make it all the way to the World Series.”